Where is a good place to work?

[schisler]

I am almost done with all of my pre-nursing classes and am getting ready to apply to the nursing program here in Anchorage, Alaska. I love Alaska but the weather is starting to get to me. I am going to finish nursing school here and maybe do an inernship here but I would like to leave at some point. I have lived here since I was three and it is time for a change. I would like to go somewhere that still has enough snow to go snowmobiling (even if it is a couple hours drive), but still has decent summers (70-80 degrees). Anchorage has a population of about 280,000. I don't think I would like to live somewhere too much bigger or smaller. I am looking at going into L&D or NICU. What I would like to know is where are some good places to live and to work. I was thinking about Spokane, but some of these forums state that it is not a very good place to work. Any suggestions?

[rhondaa83]

Anywhere you live or work will be awsome if you make it that way. You have to make your own happiness.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

MPLS/St Paul

[woknblues]

Northern California is about spot on what you are describing, weather wise. If you lived in the Sacramento (a little larger and the summers are hotter than your parameter given), or Folsom (maybe perfect?) or Placerville (small town, but very charming), you would be 90 minutes from snow, and 2 hours from the Pacific Ocean. Jobs are tight for new grads (and others recently), but it really is a great place to live if you can afford it.

Not sure about the job market, but Salem Oregon might also be to your liking, or Vancouver, WA.

Best of luck.

[Midwest4me]

I have a friend who works as an RN in Salem, Oregon at the state mental institution; pretty good salary range from what she tells me AND they always seem to need RNs there.

Salem's proximity to the mountains, ocean, desert makes it pretty attractive due to all the activities/sports one can do. Weather kind of sucks since it rains 9-10 months of the year. I've visited there a few times and always enjoyed it and am temped to move there myself some day! One big plus is no sales tax!